Kids Learning Together

This term our inquiry unit is ‘What is Science?’ On Friday 17th May Caitlin’s Aunty came to talk to our grade. She is a Biologist with a major in pathology. Aodin went to Monash University for four years of studying before becoming a Scientist. In her first year of uni Aodin told us they study the four main types of Science – Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Geology. Biology was her favourite so in her second year she studied Cell Biology and Microbiology before specialising in Pathology in her final two years. We asked her many questions about her job as a Scientist and here are some of her answers.

What does your job involve?
I work for a Bio-technology company that creates instruments that go to pathology labs. These instruments can detect if a patient has cancer. I get to do experiments almost every day. I have to test different chemicals that are used to diagnose cancer.

What is your favourite part of your job?
I like finding out new things. I like it when I get to cut up the organs; a whole liver or heart. I have to cut it up and put it into containers ready for testing.

What equipment do you use in your job?
I have to wear a lab coat, glasses, mask and boots. We use a scapel, which is a sharp knife to cut the organs and samples.

Did you always want to be a Scientist?
Yes ever since I was your age. I loved science and always found discovering things to be interesting. I was always really curious about the body so I wanted to do Biology.

What inspired you to become a scientist?
I like learning things. I had a fun teacher at your age (8-9 years old) that liked to do experiments.

Aodin showed us her lab coat. She brought in samples of tonsils and livers to show us.

What did you learn from Aodin’s visit?
Do you have an interest in Science?
What type of Science are you interested in learning more about?

This term the students in Year 3/4D have been learning how to write persuasive texts. We would like you to read the persuasive writing below and see if we can persuade you to play sport.

Children are all different. They prefer different things. Some kids like to play sport but others do not.

Sport is good for kids because if you want to be fit it is essential. It helps with brain development which is vital for school.

Sport is dangerous because you could get injured. Also some people don’t like sport.

Overall I think that it is not vital that kids should play sport. Kids should have a choice whether or not they should play sport.
By Elisa

I believe that we should all play a sport.

It is important to play sport because you can learn new things and new skills.

You should play sport because it is healthy and fit for you and if you don’t you will go overweight.

Swimming is a good sport because it helps your lungs and your breathing.

Last of all, you learn sportsmanship and teamwork in the sport that you are doing.

Make a change to your health and make your body fit.
By Tiana

I strongly agree that all children should have to play sport.

Firstly if you don’t play sport you will not burn calories and that will make it hard to sleep.

Secondly if you do play sport you will get much more fit. If you look at the footy players they have super muscles.

Thirdly if you don’t play sport you will get lazy and that will lead to you getting fat.

Be smart and play sport more often.
By Xavier

I agree all children should have to play sport. Sport is fun, healthy and keeps you fit.

Firstly children should play sport. They may not realise but they do sport every day. Sport keeps you fit, healthy and keeps your muscles strong.

Secondly some people say that they don’t do sport because they are bad at it but you have to try because practice makes perfect.

Lastly in sport you can learn new things and skills. Sport develops teamwork, sportsmanship and most of all it is fun!

In conclusion sport gives you health, exercise, sportsmanship and it is fun so you have to try!
By Atara

I agree that people should play sport.

If you don’t play sport you will be fat and not fit.

Secondly if you don’t play sport you won’t learn things or meet new people.

Thirdly you should play sport for at least 30 minutes a day.

Next sport keeps you healthy and fit. If you don’t play sport and play video games all day and eat bad food, you will be fat and your eye sight will be bad.

Finally if you play sport, when it finishes you might win a trophy or a medal.

I think you should play sport.
By Zak

All people should play sport because it is very healthy for your brain.

Sport involves teamwork and you make new friends and you stay fit.

Another reason to play sport is because you get strong muscles.

Thirdly it helps you get to sleep and people get lazy if they don’t play sport.

Fourthly you need to do at least 30 minutes of sport a day.

Lastly there are lots of different sports and it’s fun.

Everyone start playing sport. It is great fun!
By Penny

I think all children should have to play sport and here’s why.

First of all if you don’t play sport you become lazy and you become unhealthy.

Secondly by playing sport you can learn new skills in sports like kicking, throwing and passing.

Thirdly by playing sport you burn calories, so you can get to sleep more easily.

Last of all 30 minutes of sport a day is the amount of sport you should do and most sports cover that.

So after all that you should believe all children should have to play sport.
By Patrick

I think that all children should play sport. These are some reasons why.

Firstly, kids have to play sport because if they don’t they will turn into a couch potato. Kids play sport to keep fit and healthy.

Secondly, kids need to sleep at night. So if you play sport you get hungry and if you eat you get sleepy and then you sleep.

Finally, when you do sport you get nice and warmed up so you’re ready for the day.

Lastly, I play sport every Wednesday and every Friday and it’s a lot of fun. So you have to agree that all children should play sport.
By Maria

Please share with us your opinion about children playing sport?

On Sunday 12th May it is Mother’s Day here in Australia. We created a video message for all our awesome Mums.
Click on the link below:

Happy Mother’s Day from Year 3/4D from Alison Dickson on Vimeo.

What did you do to spoil your Mum on Mother’s Day?
What do you love most about your Mum?

Anzac Day is held each year on April 25th. It is a day when people in Australia, New Zealand, and Turkey may remember those who died in wars, especially on the Gallipoli Peninsula during World War 1.

Although Anzac Day is thought of as mainly an Australian and New Zealand national day, people from many other nations were also involved in the fighting on the Gallipoli Peninsular in Turkey during 1915.

What happens on ANZAC Day?

Why do you think April 25th was chosen as the day on which to remember the Anzacs?

Why do you think that Anzac Day is such an important day in Australia and New Zealand?

The word ANZAC is an acronym. Each letter is the beginning of another word. What do these letters
A__________ N__________ Z___________ A_________ C__________ stand for?

Our Inquiry Unit this term was called Believe it or Not! Throughout the inquiry students in Year 3/4D investigated ‘How does the media engage and influence my life?’ Students investigated the different types of media. They analysed print advertisements, radio advertisements and television advertisements. Zoe’s mum Kellie, who works at an advertising agency came in to talk about the different roles at their company – Client Services, Creative and Production.

The next step on our inquiry journey was to take all the knowledge and experiences we had gained so far and to take our learning further. Students worked either individually or in pairs to invent their own cereal. The first step was to decide the market they were targeting with their cereal and if they were going to use information techniques or persuasion techniques to advertise their product. Next students had to decide on a company name and design their company logo. Following this students had to think of a good name for their cereal which wouuld attract the market they are targeting. Students had to design and create their own cereal box. The final stage in their inquiry was to advertise their product by creating either a radio advertisement, television advertisement or print advertisement.

All students in Year 3/4D created a radio advertisement for their cereal. Click on the link below to see their cereal boxes and to listen to their radio advertisements:

Some of the students also chose to create a television advertisement for their cereal. Watch their advertisements below:

Smarty Grain from Alison Dickson on Vimeo.

Dynamite Cereal from Alison Dickson on Vimeo.

Cheeky Cheese Pops from Alison Dickson on Vimeo.

Zako’s Cereal from Alison Dickson on Vimeo.

Chunky Bits from Alison Dickson on Vimeo.

We apologise for the quality of sound on these next two videos. They were filmed on a windy day and you can hear the wind in the background.

Aunty King Cereals from Alison Dickson on Vimeo.

Joscar’s Cereal from Alison Dickson on Vimeo.

Some of the students chose to create a print advertisement to advertise their cereal. Check out their ads below:

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What did you learn during this inquiry unit ‘Believe it or Not!?’
What is your favourite cereal in the supermarkets? Why is it your favourite?
Would you be persuaded to buy one of the created cereals? If so which one?
Did you have a favourite cereal advertisement? What did you like about it?

Our Inquiry this term is investigating how the media engages and influences our lives. So far the students in Year 3/4D have created print advertisements for Daily Juice and Holy Family School. Next they choose their own product or attraction and created a radio advertisement. The next step of our inquiry involved us critically analysing television advertisements. The students in 3/4D worked in small groups to create their own television advertisement for Chicken Noodles, Weetbix, Pancake mix, Shapes, Milo and Tomato Sauce. Each group had to create a catchy jingle. Check out their advertisements below:

Year 3/4D’s Television Advertisements from Alison Dickson on Vimeo.

Which television advertisement was your favourite? Why?
Do you have a favourite television advertisement that is currently on air? What is it?
What makes it your favourite advertisement?

On Thursday 21st March ten students from our grade made their First Reconciliation. Reconciliation is one of the seven sacraments in the Catholic Church. In class we have been learning that it is important to forgive others and to be forgiven. We looked closely at the story of the Prodigal Son. Reconciliation means to grow closer to God.

On Wednesday the 20th of March our school had 3 visitors from the Richmond Footy Club. Their names were Dustin Martin, Daniel Jackson and Aaron Edwards. We were practising skills like hand balling, bouncing and rolling. We got split up into teams to do this. We have practice runs and races. At the end we had kick offs. Afterwards we got to ask some questions. We all had a good day. Written by James D, Patrick and Alessandro.

On Wednesday the 20th March we went to a Richmond Football Clinic. The Richmond players who came were Dustin Martin, Daniel Jackson and Aaron Edwards. They showed us lots of skills. Some of the skills were hand balling, bouncing the football, kicking goals and races. After that we did questions and got their signatures. Then they tried to kick a goal from on side of the oval. They all got a point. Overall we had a great time. Written by Isabella, Tiana and Penny.

On Wednesday the 20th March we had a footy clinic. Three people from Richmond came to Holy Family School. First we did some rolling, hand passing and kicking with the football. We all had so much fun and they took pictures with us. At the end we got signatures from the players. Their names were Dustin Martin, Daniel Jackson and Aaron Edwards. It was a great day! Written by Gemma, Alison and Ashlee.

On Wednesday the 20th March three Richmond Players came to our school. They were Dustin Martin, Daniel Jackson and Aaron Edwards. First they told us information about footy and themselves. Secondly we did some hand passes. In all the relays we did a practice round before we raced. There were seven teams. Thirdly we got into a full group and did a footy competition. The last goal went to Ella (a Richmond supporter). Finally we sat down altogether and the kids asked questions and they answered them. At the end we got their signatures. We all ended up having such a great time with them and learnt lots. Written by Jennifer, Atara and Rose.

On Wednesday the 20th March, 2013 three Richmond Football players came to our school. Dustin Martin, Daniel Jackson and Aaron Edwards were teaching us about football. We had to bounce the ball and hand pass. They also told us how to do blind turns and kick a goal. We all had fun with the Richmond players. Go Tigers! Written by James O, Oscar and Zoe.

Today Richmond players came to our school. There names were Dustin Martin, Daniel Jackson and Aaron Edwards. They were really nice. They did some drills. There were hand balling and bouncing. They showed us the two ways to bounce the footy. We also spun around and hand passed to the next person. Dustin Martin kicked a goal from one side of the oval to the other! Written by Zak, Justin and Toby.

Today Year 3/4s went to the footy clinic. It had Dustin Martin, Daniel Jackson and Aaron Edwards. We thought today was fun but we did not realy like that it was during our lunch time. Otherwise it was awesome. We loved the footy clinic. Written by Xavier, Kai and Riley.

Here are some photos from our Footy Clinic:

Here is the autograph they wrote for our school:

Which football team to you barrack for?
Who is your favourite football player?
Which team do you predict will win the 2013 AFL grand final?

World Read Aloud Day is an awareness day advocating for literacy as a right that belongs to all people. It is celebrated around the world every year on the first Wednesday of March.

World Read Aloud Day motivates children worldwide to celebrate the power of words, especially those words that are shared from one person to another.

By raising our voices together on this day, we show the world’s children that we support their future: that they have the right to read, to write, and to share their words to change the world.

Below is some video and photos of 3/4D participating in World Read Aloud Day:

World Read Aloud Day – 6th March, 2013 from Alison Dickson on Vimeo.

What is your favourite book to read? Why?

This term we have been looking at how the media engages and influences our lives. We have studied print advertisements, television advertisements and today we looked closely at radio advertisements. Before television, radio was the key medium for spreading information and providing entertainment. Advertisers produced jingles and ongoing storylines in advertisements to promote their products.

We listened to this radio advertisement for Milo:

Does this radio advertisement persuade you to buy Milo? Why / why not?

Next we worked in small groups to create our own radio advertisments. Check out our advertisments below:

Which radio advertisement was your favourite? Why?
Were you persuaded to buy their product or visit their attraction?